If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

How to Start a Missing Person Thread

Los spoiled us terribly with his diligence and dedication in starting most of our new MP threads and, without him, we're left with a big gap to fill.

Some of you have already begun to step up by starting new MP threads, which is very much appreciated. We'd like to encourage anyone who wants to help out - but maybe aren't quite sure how - so here's a little tutorial on how to start a missing person thread:

1. It begins with information from an official source: a news article, a release issued by law enforcement, a NamUs listing, etc. A missing person poster from social media is generally not sufficient.

2. Use the Search box to make sure we don't already have a thread on that case.

Yes, we can use information posted by law enforcement on any of their own official web pages, which might be a .gov site or a blog or a Facebook page. Many sheriffs and police departments do maintain their own social media pages these days, and any info posted there by an authorized official is considered fair game.

The Patch is a newsletter rather than a newspaper, but its articles generally come from MSM. Try googling to find an original MSM source for the same info and use that link instead.

Yes, we can use information posted by law enforcement on any of their own official web pages, which might be a .gov site or a blog or a Facebook page. Many sheriffs and police departments do maintain their own social media pages these days, and any info posted there by an authorized official is considered fair game.

The Patch is a newsletter rather than a newspaper, but its articles generally come from MSM. Try googling to find an original MSM source for the same info and use that link instead.

Oops possibly OT- I realize some websites are x out as not being allowed to post here. Is there a list? Will it show x's before submitting? I just learned here websleuths has a preview but not if you go thru tapatalk. Thank goodness for the hour edit.

I'm not aware of a formal listing. I do know that any links to fundraiser sites are prohibited, as are some websites that are more speculative or sensational in nature rather than fact-based.

If a link has been starred out (as we call it), there may have been a problem with using it as a source in the past, or it could just be that the website doesn't meet our guidelines as a reliable resource.

Thank you for posting this, OkieGranny... I admit I twitch a bit when I see posts that are even slightly out of format!
Also wanted to say how heartbroken I continue to feel over the loss of our Carlos. Will be very difficult to fill his shoes... he was an irreplaceable friend to the missing and the lost.

Thanks, okiegranny. I know a blog I sent Tricia with comments on websleuths had already met with x's after sending. I also think I finally have a handled on my posts without asterisks, I hope.
No one can compare to Los in posting the missing. I do have a text from Los weeks ago..saying to keep posting. So we continue on...posting not only for the missing but Los.
It is sad though not seeing his posts 4 hours earlier during my first wake up.

Hello- I wasn't sure where to post this so apologies if this is the wrong place! Is there a way to browse the missing persons cases by state? I wanted to look through any in NH but I can't figure out how to do it. Searching NH brings up any post where anyone has mentioned NH (if I'm doing it correctly). Thank you!

Hello- I wasn't sure where to post this so apologies if this is the wrong place! Is there a way to browse the missing persons cases by state? I wanted to look through any in NH but I can't figure out how to do it. Searching NH brings up any post where anyone has mentioned NH (if I'm doing it correctly). Thank you!

Absolutely! Go to the Missing Person Discussion forum and scroll all the way down to the bottom. Find the box that says Thread Display Options and click on Prefix. Select NH from the pop-up menu and click Show Threads. When the page reloads, you'll only see threads from NH. Or whichever location prefix you choose.